You might remember that I've written before about the plight of Florence Mhango and her 11 year old daughter Precious, who are living their lives in Glasgow in perpetual threat of immediate deportation to Malawi where they could face permanent separation.
Florence and Precious came into the UK 7 years ago as dependents of her then husband. Because of his violence to her, Florence fled with her daughter to Glasgow. While her husband remains entitled to live in this country, Florence and Precious have been refused asylum, despite the fact that if they are returned to Malawi, her ex husband's family have threatened to take Precious away from Florence.
Unfortunately, since July, things have become progressively gloomier for the pair as legal and political doors are slammed in their faces. I am particularly disappointed that Home Secretary, Theresa May, has refused to use the discretion that she acknowledges she has to allow them to stay outside the immigration rules, despite intervention from the Scottish Government and religious leaders here. Two weeks ago, their latest legal application failed.
Precious hasn't been back to school this term, because of the threat that UK Borders Agency officials will turn up at the classroom and detain her. That can't be good for them. Every day is an ordeal for them. It says a lot about the prospects of life in Malawi for them if Florence considers the uncertain existence they are enduring at the moment to be preferable.
It's Florence's birthday today, and Precious's on Friday. How good would it be if Theresa May listened to continued pleas from the pair's supporters to let them stay in the country.
If you want to wish them well on their special days, you can do so here on the wall of the Facebook group in their support. The good wishes of their supporters mean an awful lot to them, so please spare a few minutes to send them birthday greetings.
And while you do so, why not fire off another e-mail to Theresa May asking her to reconsider Florence and Precious' case.
Deporting Florence and Precious would be in my opinion an act of unacceptable and despicable cruelty. To all intents and purposes, Precious is a wee Scottish girl and should be allowed to stay here, close to her friends and with her mother.
2 comments:
No she isn't, I am afraid! She has no right to stay in the UK and must go home as soon as possble.
sorry but their application has failed very close friend knew them extremely well but even they agreed that they should go back.
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